Asus N550JV - user review and owners lounge

Soooo I finally received the caddy, and probably this sunday I will update the system with the ssd.
Correct me if I am wrong or I miss something:
1 open plastic lid underneath
2 remove the hdd
3 place the ssd in place of the hdd
4 remove the odd
5 place the caddy with the hdd instead
6 enter the BIOS and set "USB" as primary choice
7 install windows from a flash drive

What worries me the most is if I need to change something inside the BIOS or before swapping the disk drives.
a. Do I need to change SecureBoot? Will the BIOS recognize the flash drive anyway, even if I put in there Windows 8.1 from Dreamspark (in other words: are Dreamspark isos fully compatible with UEFI?)
b. If i set the caddy+hdd as primary boot choice, will I enter Windows normally? And will it recognize the ssd without formatting? I could use this in order to backup some files
c. Did I forgot anything?

 

Probably th best ssd out there, Toshiba Q series pro, ridiculous perfs and power consumption :
Review: Toshiba Q Series Pro 256GB SSD (HDTS325XZSTA) | Custom PC Review

 

I'm happy to report that I've solved problem with static noise in the headphones. Turns out it has nothing to do with drivers*. The problem is in the connector itself. Asus N550JV uses TRRS connector, like one in the smartphones, that allows to connect headsets with one jack. Unfortunately, it designed poorly, and when you connect stereo headphones it connects microphone pin of the notebook to the headphones' ground.
There is an easy remedy: adapter like this one. It decouples mic and headphones jacks and eliminates static noise.

*- why is there no noise with generic Realtek drivers? Generic drivers has an ability to manually route connections, something that Asus version lacks. You can even have sound play in the speakers and headphones simultaneously. Because of this, generic driver doesn't automatically route mic connection to the TRRS jack from the internal mics when you connect something to it.

 

lol i have one : http://media.materiel.net/live/200384.jpg but didn't even test it as i'm not using headphones for now

 

After putting the notebook to standby and waking it up it would start throttling again.

To solve this you have to add one more trigger:
control panel -> administrative tools -> task scheduler -> right click on the throttletoggle task -> triggers -> new -> on a event, source: Power-Troubleshooter, event id: 1

To avoid any possible conflicts like logging out, putting to standby, waking and logging in (the task would run twice resulting in toggling the throttling back on) you have to change the original At Logon event to At System Startup and also change the user, which will run the task to SYSTEM (this will also give a nice bonus in hiding the command line window).

 

Hey!!
I recently purchased the ASUS N550JV (CM203H Model). I have had a hard time with some drivers and a few issues since I downgraded it to Win 7 64 bit. I would appreciate your help with the following drivers/issues :

1) Webcam Driver & a compatible working software
2) Nvidia GEFORCE 750M DDR3 Graphic [although I have the drivers installed but shows 'Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)' in DEVICE MANAGER ]
3) Help in the installation of the BIOS 207 file

Thanks in advance.

 

DR0N3,

1. Webcam should work with the stock Windows drivers.
2. Graphics driver should be available on Windows Update. If not, I would suggest getting the one from Asus N550JV Support page under Windows 8.1 section (yes, correct, it supports Windows 7 too). Another option is nvidia.com. You can fix the "Code 43" by updating BIOS.
3. To update BIOS download the Windows BIOS Flash Utility from Asus Support page, install it and then download the 207 BIOS file. Open it using the Flash Utility and flash it. This is a really simple process.

 

Anyone?
I really need to now if I can install a clean version of windows under UEFI.

 

Thanks for the response.

1) I am not able to run the webcam. I installed WebCam Max, the software was working but the cam did not run.
2) Nvidia issue has been fixed. Thanks!!
3) I did try to run the WinFlash_Win7_8_VER2420 but the problem is, when I tried to install the setup, it showed 'this program only supports ASUS laptop' something like this.

 

I never had put it in startup before because I personally only activate it if I want to play.

But it's nice of you to figure out how to have a complete comfort package

 

Anyone know how to change which program the keyboard shortcuts link to?

In Windows 8 the Calculator shortcut (Fn + Numpad Enter) opened up the desktop calculator app, but since installing Windows 8.1 it's been opening the Metro app, anyone know how to change it?

 

Got a big crash during gaming, then no functionnal gpu, error 43 after reboot. Updated to 206 bios and now it's fine. Weird...Thought the gpu was dead. Probably a faulty bios (205) since many have experienced the same issue and solved it the same way on many forums.

 

Did you have any overclocking in place? How much undervolt did you have on CPU?

I have found that +200 on memory makes it unstable, causing artifacts in FurMark. +150 didn't seem to make any problems.

And my CPU gets unstable when using anything below ~ minus 75.

 

I am running stable at +100 on core and +200 on memory .. totalling 1250 on core and 1100 memory.

 

My notebook came with HTS541010A9E680 1TB HDD. I've moved it in the optibay enclosure, and installed a SSD as main system disk.

HTS541010A9E680 keeps on turning itself off after a minute (after short reads, even faster) of inactivity, ignoring Windows' power options. I tried my older drive with this optibay at it obeyed Windows settings. But HTS541010A9E680 is using its own timer. Is it normal? Is it some sort of HGST extensive power management? Or I've got a faulty drive? I'm worried that constant spinning down and up will shorten HDD's life span.

 

Is this being done at Performance Level [2] (P0)?
Also, correct me if I am wrong, but you refer to the core clock as the base clock?

What XTU Settings are you complementing with these gpu settings?

 

Noob Tip: If you've switched out your HD for an SSD and use cloning software to switch more easily, check to see if your SSD is aligned properly. A lot of cloning tools will screw up your alignment ( AS SSD will have an indicator at the top left if your SSD is out of alignment). The instructions here to fix it worked pretty well for me. Not sure if I'm an idiot and everyone already knew this, but figured I'd let people learn from my mistake.

 

Nope. No OCing at all, was playing Deux Ex Human revolution (during 3 hours) at stock gpu clocks and boum. Cpu was at 2,8 ghz -100mv. Temps were below 70°C for both cpu and gpu. +200 mhz on memory seem to be fine for me, just had one crash in BF4 but i don't know if it's related. I don't have artifacts in furmark. That said, i tend to just put +175 mhz when gaming to be safe. -100mV is no problem for my cpu but i lowered to -95mV recently just in case.

No P-level tweaking.
I generally put 2,8 ghz or 2,6 ghz on all core on -95mV. It's more than enough. This lap is gpu limited, there's no point at bursting your cpu when gaming, especially at 1080p. I even put a 60 fps framerate limiter in Nvidia inspector to avoid useless heat and power consomption. From 80W to 55W at the wall at full load when the game used to go into the 100+ fps without framerate limiter. Cold and silent.

 

Anyone knows where I can buy replacement screws for the bottom panel? I used the wrong tool at first and the screws are a bit stripped unfortunately. I can still unscrew them with a proper torx t5 screwdriver but I wanted to do a clean job (the paint came off). Contacted Asus and the only way for them to sell me new screws is by sending the notebook for servicing lol...

 

I got a crashed, 43 while using Chrome and watching YouTube after 30 minutes.

My settings:
1. CPU: always UV -99.6
2. GPU: was trying to do +100 and memory +150.

How i fixed it:
after reboot without screen for several time, I hold power down when power off seem to help it boots back to Intel display.
then I proceed to update the nvdia again by reinstalling fixing this issue.

 

Audio and Intel new drivers are now available: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Drivers and Download N550JV

 

Funny, but it looks like the Realtek driver is missing on Asus servers. I've tried DLM and Global options.

UPD 21.11: the Realtek download URL works now.

 

also new nvidia driver.

 

Is Google Maps 3D Satellite view extremely slow for anyone else? It takes forever to render the 3D imagery. I tried to force Chrome to run with the Nvidia card, but it doesnt seem to do anything. Any way to force the better graphics card to do the 3D rendering process?

 

The Intel GPU is more than enough to render the new Maps 3D Satellite view. Unfortunately there may be some glitches that lead to lower framerates and stutters.

For example, when I first got my laptop and tried the new Maps I noticed severe stuttering while Firefox ran on the Intel GPU. However I soon discovered that taking the browser window out of maximized position and then maximizing it back would increase framerates and remove stutters in Maps. That glitch is now gone... i think.

I tested with both Firefox and Chrome on HD 4600 and Satellite view worked fine.

 

Installing the new Realtek driver removed the frickin noise for me!

And I can confirm that built-in mic into my htc headset still works.

 

I am trying to update to the latest video driver straight from intel. Every time I try I get a warning that I need to use a validated driver. I thought I had seen that if you unistalled the old driver first you could get around that but I couldn't get it to work, I would either still get an error or it would seem to be working but then revert back. I must be doing something wrong. Can someone give me instructions on how to remove the driver from ASUS and replace it with the latest intel driver? Thanks!

 

You are not alone. Look like we may not be able to get update Intel HD4600 driver directly from Intel anymore. Asus driver for Intel may or may not be newer than the previous version from Intel. It has a .2 at the end from Asus site.

 

The Installer refused me too. Fortunately there's still a way to force the update.

It involves dowloading the .zip version of the driver and "manually" installing it. The procedure is described here and it worked for me. (select the .inf file from the Graphics Folder)

It doesn't help much right now, but it may in the future, I kinda doubt Asus will keep the updates coming.

 

I am only running drivers straight from Intel.
If there is still a message after uninstalling the Asus version there might be something left that prevents you like it usually does.
Somewhere, probably in the registry, must be a value that is set by the Asus driver and if that one isn't reset by uninstalling you have the same problem still after removing it.

Sadly I can't help because I didn't use any drivers from Asus directly after the last Windows installation on the SSD otherwise I'd look into it.

Also, if you are playing with the drivers, look out for Optimus working. After updating my Intel driver and Nvidia driver the last time there was only the Nvidia card working and was sucking the battery empty.
You can enable an activity indicator in the Nvidia control panel for the tray area, if it's colored the Nvidia card is working and if it's gray then it's not.
Just if someone stumbles upon this and wonders.

 

Nice tip !

 

I'm using Asus drivers for Intel and nVidia and for the moment I don't have problems... Thanks for the tip, by the way!

 

to solve HDMI sound issues - install INTEL HDMI HD AUDIO manually with the .INF file from the intel VGA drivers for HD AUDIO

 

Hey guys,

What are normal/idle/low usage/browsing temps you guys are getting with the N550JV?

 

Actually it gets reaally hot for me while using it for browsing. I am also getting a really high battery draw (i can only get a few hours of movie watching!), but i am guessing it is due to drivers or something, i am still tweaking everything. From what i have found - don't leave anything to MS drivers lol.

How much does the stock harddrive use power wise once put in the ODD cady?

 

Around 40C on low usage. 70C when playing games.

 

idle: 43
some heavy browsing average: 48

 

Hi, so am looking to buy this beautiful machine, but i was wondering if any of you tried to swap the optical drive for an SSD to go along with the HDD. I'm planning to do just that but i read some reviews on Amazon that got me confused on whether i can even do that.

 

You can definitely do this, I've done this as well as many did before me.
SSD is placed in the HDD slot so I can see the working indicator for my OS drive and the HDD is put in a HDD Caddy in the ODD slot.
I've bought this one: Asus N550 N550JV HDD Caddy
There are cheaper ones out there but I had bought one that constantly gave me 20% CPU usage and I didn't want to have to buy a third one so I bought this one that is advertised as working for this notebook.
So if you want a cheaper one wait for someone to give you a link for a working model.

 

Found this for a lot cheaper only 8$
Amazon.com: SANOXY® SATA 2nd HDD caddy for 12.7mm Universal CD/DVD-ROM: Computers & Accessories

but not quite sure whether a 12.7 mm will fit this laptop or a 9.5mm

 

The fit is 9.5mm

 

I had no HDMI audio but was fixed after the latest Realtek drivers. What is the Intel HDMI HD AUDIO?

 

Yes finally... that was driving me nuts as I kept the Realtek drivers to enable the subwoofer. I got no HDMI audio after the Win 8.1 update so looked up the drivers and thankfully the update fixed both problems.

I did have my first crash on this laptop in W8.1 tho, all of a sudden shut off by itself. Just normal websurfing, no gaming.

 

hey guys..i bought this laptop couple of days aga..and it feels really slow...any tips for me???
i downloaded all the updates and updates to windows 8.1....and even the trackpad is the worst...it takes couple of minutes to work after i turn on the laptop....
thank you

 

better if you run thru some benchmark to test it. slow or feeling is objective.

Many of us replace the HDD with SSD. That is your main bottle neck of this laptop. after that, this thing flies.

 

Key stuck for B, N, Enter, Spacebar.

I know someone had posted this before, but could not located it again.

Anyone has any suggestion on how to resolve this? it is very annoying now.

 

Anyone here with an AC 7260 getting frequent disconnects? My drivers are updated.

 

You also asked for some pics / details. I made some marks on this notebookcheck pic:

• The yellow arrows indicate the direction in which to pull the little black plastic caps if you want to detach the keyboard cable. Normally you shouldn't have to do this.
• The red arrow indicates the direction in which to bend the keyboard cable away from the battery.

 

That would seem to indicate a slightly bad connector.

 

Happening to me too! My old laptop did the same so I thought it was my router's problem. (Have an Asus router too ...).